PTCB® launched the Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician™ (CSPT™) Program on December 6, 2017 as a key step in fulfilling our mission to advance medication safety. Sterile compounding is the preparation of medications in a sterile environment to prevent contamination. Through the CSPT Program, PTCB-Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) have the opportunity to demonstrate their specialized knowledge and commitment to medication safety by meeting the high standards of PTCB’s CSPT Program.

Employers who choose to employ CSPTs demonstrate their commitment to the highest level of training and excellence. Sterile compounding oversight has increased significantly and employers must ensure they are in compliance with USP 797 and USP 800 requirements. Falling short could lead to increased risk for adverse patient outcomes, and a potential negative impact on an institution and the patients it serves. PTCB’s CSPT Program can play an important role in demonstrating an employer's commitment to quality, medication safety, and patient care.

Apply

To be eligible to apply, a technician must be a PTCB CPhT in good standing and have completed:

CPhTs apply for CSPT Certification through their PTCB Account. To become CSPT Certified, they are required to:

pass the CSPT™ Exam, a 2-hour, 75-question exam, and;

undergo a Competency Attestation by a qualified supervisor.

PTCB provides CSPT Exam preparation resources in its Candidate Guidebook, including a content outline of the Exam, a list of medications that may appear on the Exam, and a list of reference materials. A candidate’s supervisor must submit an Attestation Form to PTCB stating that required competency testing and training have occurred, including observation of the candidate’s aseptic technique, equipment cleaning, and use of personal protective equipment, as well as gloved fingertip and media fill tests.

Renew

To maintain the CSPT credential, a CSPT must recertify annually, a process requiring completion of 5 CE hours in sterile compounding and submission of a supervisor’s Attestation Form each year. PTCB counts a CSPT’s CE hours as part of the 20 CE hours needed for CPhT recertification.

Fees

PTCB charges a $50 non-refundable application fee and a $149 CSPT Exam fee for initial testing and retakes. Technicians who apply by January 31, 2018 will receive a $50 discount.